Living with a chronic condition

A chronic condition is an ongoing long-term illness that:

• occurs suddenly or gradually at any age, and is more common in senior years
• flares up from time to time
• affects your quality of life
• causes physical limitations or disability
• worsens over the years
• usually has many causes.

Some examples of a chronic condition include:

• diabetes
• heart disease
• arthritis
• chronic obstructive pulmonary (lung) disease (COPD).

There may be different stages for chronic conditions:

• well (no condition)
• at risk of developing
• undiagnosed
• diagnosed
• high risk and complex
• advanced.

Depending on the stage, different approaches may apply.

You may be able to avoid developing a condition by adopting a healthier lifestyle.

However once diagnosed, there are many steps you can take to manage your condition and minimise the impact on your everyday life.

On a daily basis, people living with a chronic condition already manage their conditions to varying degrees.

Being actively involved in managing your health can help you to:

• prevent a chronic condition, or detect it in its early stages
• prevent complications that can develop with a chronic condition
• recognise flare-ups of your condition early on and know what to do when they occur
• increase your self-confidence and awareness in maintaining a healthier lifestyle
• make fewer unplanned visits to the doctor, specialists, and other health care providers
• reduce pain which may lower your medication
• feel healthier and happier
• feel like you have control over your health.

Managing your condition involves:

• understanding your condition
• sharing in decision-making about your health
• following an agreed care plan
• monitoring and managing signs and symptoms
• managing the impact on your physical, emotional and social life
• adopting a healthy lifestyle
• having the confidence and ability to access community support services.

Find information

• Ask questions when visiting your health care provider.
• Discuss your options, concerns and goals with your health care provider.
• Read and learn more about your condition from reliable sources.
• Talk to family and friends, and with other people with the same condition.
• Request a discharge summary after an emergency department or hospital admission.

Make decisions

• Decide your priorities and set realistic goals to live a healthier lifestyle.
• Talk with your doctor and other healthcare providers and decide what is best for you and your health.

Make changes

• Review your approach to food, exercise, smoking and alcohol and adopt a healthier lifestyle.
• Attend a self-management program, a support group or community activity at your local council (external link).
• Prioritise the way you balance family, work, education and other things that are important to you.
• Choose health care providers who adopt a partnership approach and will support you to make healthy lifestyle changes.